Successful Geostatistical Approach for a Nickel Ore Deposit – A Case Study for Nickel Laterite Deposit in Central I Pit, Kabaena Nickel Mine, Kabaena Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

摘要

Geostatistics has been widely used for more than four decades as a powerful tool in ore resource/rnreserve estimates and grade control. This method has gradually replaced the conventional methodrnsuch as polygon and cross-section for grade estimation by more mathematical techniques such asrnkriging. The advances in geostatistical understanding and the availability of appropriate softwarernpackages have given much more contribution in speed and high accuracy during production.rnHowever, in many cases, these techniques are sometime applied without support with a goodrnthorough understanding of the geological controls on metal distribution. To produce the resultrnclose to actual, the geological control in interpretation and appropriate geostatistical task is arnmust. Geological logging was described in the core must be consistent with the level plan producedrnby commercial modelling software used as a guide for grade control during production.rnExperience gained through evaluation of the Central I deposit resulted that the most effectivernsystems continue to be based on geostatistical methods of resource estimation. Computerrnapplications modelling software packages are necessarily as the core of an effi cient in undertakingrnthese assignments. They contribute to make a valued to data management and are becomingrnincreasingly effective during processing. The latter role is particularly important to check thernactual versus estimated values where will signifi cantly to improve personnel to have a confi dentrnwith their knowledge combined with experience and complete their jobs satisfy.